Giant Cell Arteritis

At the UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute, our surgeons in the Division of Vascular Surgery are experts in treating giant cell arteritis. We take a team approach to diagnose your condition and design a treatment plan that’s right for you.

If left untreated, giant cell arteritis can lead to serious and even life-threatening complications like permanent blindness and stroke.

Diagnosing giant cell arteritis

Giant cell arteritis can be a challenge to diagnose. Its symptoms can be similar to those of other health problems.

To diagnose giant cell arteritis, your UPMC vascular surgeon will:

Discuss your medical history.

Ask about your symptoms.

Give you a physical exam.

He or she may also use the following tests to confirm a giant cell arteritis diagnosis:

An imaging test, like a Duplex ultrasound, can show if your blood vessels are narrow.

A blood test that measures your erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), also known as your SED rate. During a SED test, your blood is drawn and placed in a small tube to measure how fast your red blood cells fall to the bottom. If your red blood cells fall quickly, this may indicate inflammation in your blood vessels.

A biopsy of your temporal artery is the definite test to check for inflammation.

For help in finding a doctor or health service that suits your needs, call the UPMC Referral Service at 412-647-UPMC (8762) or 1-800-533-UPMC (8762). Select option 1.

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